Although there are several accounts of links between Armenia and Ireland rooted in ancient history, the bilateral relations on a state-to-state level were established following Armenia’s independence in 1991.
Ambassador Gabrielyan presenting his credentials to Mrs. Mary McAleese, President of Ireland in December 2005.
Ireland recognized Armenia’s independence in December 1991 soon after the establishment of the Republic of Armenia following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1996.
The Irish Ambassador to Armenia, with residence in Moscow, Mr. David Donahue was appointed in December 1999. Until December 2007 Ireland’s Ambassador to Russia was also accredited to Armenia (with residence in Moscow). Since December 2007, H.E. Mr. Geoffrey Keating the Ambassador of Ireland to Bulgaria has been accredited to Armenia (with residence in Sofia) in succession to H.E. Mr. Justin Harman.
In December 2005 the Republic of Armenia accredited the Ambassador in London to represent Armenia in Ireland. H.E. Dr. Vahe Gabrielyan became the first Armenian Ambassador to Ireland. Since his accreditation, Ambassador Gabrielyan has visited Dublin on a number of occasions, where he held consultations with the Irish officials aiming at fostering the Armenian-Irish relations. Dr. Gabrielyan has now returned to Armenia and was appointed Director of the Armenian Diplomatic Academy. H.E. Mrs. Karine Kazinian was recently appointed Armenian Ambassador to the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
In February 2007, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia H.E. Mr. Vartan Oskanian paid a visit to Dublin where he held talks with Mr. Dermot Ahern, TD., the Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs and addressed the special session of the Joint Committee on European Affairs of the Irish Parliament. In the course of his visit, Minister Oskanian made a speech on Armenia’s foreign policy priorities at the Institute of European Affairs in Dublin. The Minister also visited the famous Chester Beatty Library, which has one of the largest collections of Armenian medieval manuscripts in Europe.
Minister Vosganian meets Minister Dermot Ahern, Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister Vosganian meets Minister Dermot Ahern, Irish Minister of Foreign AffairsMinister Oskanian’s official visit was until then the highest bilateral visit by an Armenian official to Ireland since Armenia’s independence.
Mr. Ohan Yergainharsian, was appointed the first Honorary Consul of Armenia in Ireland in April 2008 and accredited in March 2009.
During July 2011, H.E Mr. Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affaires, Republic of Armenia, paid an official visit to Ireland. Dr. Nalbandian held meetings with Mr. Eamon Gilmore during which bilateral issues were discussed.
In the course of his visit, Minister Nalbandian made a speech on Armenia’s foreign policy priorities at the Institute of European Affairs in Dublin. The Minister also visited the Chester Beatty Library, which has one of the largest collections of Armenian medieval manuscripts in Europe.
H.E Ambassador Armen Sarkissian met with President Michael D Higgins of Ireland on the 21st of January 2015 in the Aras during which the Ambassador presented his credentials.
Ambassador Sarkissian also had several meetings with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Dail and other senior officials.
H.E. Ambassador Armen Sarkissian’s meeting with Armenian community in Ireland
H.E. accompanied with Mr. Ara Markarian, Counsellor to the Ambassador, also attended a reception hosted by the Hon. Consul of Armenia, Mr. Ohan Yergainharsian and met with members of the Armenian community during which HE gave a talk about current affairs in Armenia, the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the planned commemorative ceremonies and invited all those present to participate in the activities.
The meeting was closed after a moment’s silence in memory of the victims of the recent atrocity in Gyumri.
H.E. Ambassador Armen Sarkissian’s meeting with Armenian community in Ireland